Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
A Montgomery man has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device during a shooting incident at Tuskegee University. Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the sentencing of 25-year-old Jaquez Kevon Myrick, who will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case stems from an incident on November 10, 2024, when law enforcement responded to reports of a mass shooting in a parking lot on the campus of Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. Officers encountered a large crowd and heard gunfire upon arrival. During their response, an officer detained Myrick after observing him moving through the parking lot with a firearm.
Agents later determined that Myrick's handgun was equipped with a machinegun conversion device, known as a "switch," which transforms semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing up to 20 rounds per second. Myrick pleaded guilty to possession of the device on January 29, 2025.
"This case is yet another example of the danger posed by illegal machinegun conversion devices," said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. "These devices turn handguns into weapons of war, with no place on our streets or campuses. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and hold offenders accountable."
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Tuskegee University Police Department, City of Tuskegee Police Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Fifth Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Tara S. Ratz prosecuted the case for the Middle District of Alabama.
